Governor Seyi Makinde has cautioned traditional rulers across Oyo State against partisan politics, urging them to remain neutral and accessible to politicians regardless of their political affiliations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde gave the warning on Saturday at the grand finale of the week-long first coronation anniversary of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I.

The event also featured the commissioning of the newly renovated Eleruwa Palace and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on Makinde and his wife, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde.

The governor said monarchs who openly identified with political parties or candidates could expose themselves to avoidable political attacks, stressing the need for traditional institutions to remain above partisan politics.

He urged traditional rulers to provide royal blessings to political actors who visit their palaces without openly endorsing any candidate or political party.

Makinde, who also spoke on his presidential ambition, disclosed that he would intensify nationwide consultations to seek support for his bid.

He said the political neutrality of traditional rulers was important because politicians from different parties would continue to seek their support and blessings.

The governor expressed appreciation to the traditional council in Ibarapaland for conferring on him the title of Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ of Ibarapaland and on his wife, Yèyé Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀.

He described the honours as a call to greater responsibility, noting that it was the first chieftaincy title he had accepted in Oyo State.

Makinde said the title was particularly significant because Ibarapaland was where his political journey began.

On development projects in the area, the governor assured that the Ido–Eruwa Road would be commissioned in December, saying the project was part of his administration’s plan to connect all geopolitical zones in the state.

He also disclosed that his administration’s payment of N14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank (AfDB) would resolve the financial constraints affecting the Eruwa Farm Settlement.

According to him, the development would facilitate the commencement of the first phase of the farm settlement before the end of his tenure.

On the agitation for the upgrade of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, to a university, Makinde said Ibarapaland deserved a university campus.

He, however, said the proposal would be evaluated based on its financial implications, adding that the state House of Assembly had commenced legislative processes on the matter.

The governor also highlighted what he described as improved representation of Ibarapaland in government, noting that the zone now occupies prominent positions in the state civil service.

He cited the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Fashina as the first Head of Service from the zone as an example of the administration’s commitment to inclusivity.

In his address, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, described the conferment of the chieftaincy titles on Makinde and his wife as “epoch making in the annals of Eruwa, Ibarapaland and Oyo State.”

The monarch said the honours were bestowed in recognition of Makinde’s achievements and giant strides in the state, describing the governor and his wife as “foremost achievers, humanists, core professionals and excellent administrators.”

He also presented developmental requests from Ibarapaland to the governor, expressing confidence that the administration would continue to address them.

Chairman of Ibarapa East Local Government, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade, commended Makinde for what he described as people-friendly policies, while Chief Ademola Eyinade (Elejire), in his goodwill message, appealed for more developmental projects across Ibarapaland.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the Makinde administration as the best Ibarapaland had experienced since Nigeria’s return to democracy.

Ogundoyin commended the ongoing Ido–Eruwa Road project and inner roads in Eruwa, saying the projects had renewed confidence that no community would be left behind.